What MLB execs, scouts are saying about MLB trade deadline deals
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- Dodgers acquired Tarik Skubal at the 2026 trade deadline, with NL and AL executives noting the team’s financial and prospect depth made them the high bidder capable of securing and potentially extending him.
- Tigers received a package centered on outfield prospect Zyhir Hope and pitcher River Ryan for Skubal, with AL and NL execs calling it a solid return for a rental given Detroit’s inability to land top prospects like Jesús Made or Theo Gillen.
- Red Sox traded for Adley Rutschman despite his post-2024 All-Star decline, drawing skepticism from an NL scout about the prospect cost for a player no longer performing at prior levels.
- Blue Jays added Jose Soriano and Spencer Arrighetti, with AL execs praising the creativity in acquiring controllable starting pitching from non-playoff teams in a move typically reserved for the offseason.
- Cubs improved their rotation depth by acquiring Ryan Zeferjahn, a move highlighted by an NL scout for addressing their need for pitchers who generate swings and misses.
- Braves, A’s, and Royals were cited by scouts and execs as teams that underperformed expectations by not making significant moves despite having needs and opportunities at the deadline.
Why it matters: The Dodgers and Blue Jays gained immediate and long-term pitching advantages through deals that leveraged their prospect depth, while the Tigers and Orioles converted aging or underperforming assets into futures—teams like the Braves and A’s now face steeper paths to contention without comparable upgrades.
